Page 54 of Designing Love
Sam’s downtown office is bright and minimalist, with walls painted in varying shades of tasteful grey and ivory. It is designed to soothe clients’ frazzled nerves — or at least lull them into complacency before their next hefty bill. A potted fern sits in the corner, valiantly clinging to life beneath the artificial office lights.
I drum my fingertips against the polished conference table, adjusting my blazer sleeves for what must be the twentieth time. A bold-color blazer has always been my go-to power outfit. I remember Daniel always saying I should wear black. “More business-like,"he would say. But I knew he thought bold colors attracted too much attention — it was a distraction.
Nervous energy flutters beneath my ribs, mixing awkwardly with anticipation. Sam shuffles his papers into neat stacks at my side, every gesture annoyingly calm.
“Sam,” I whisper impatiently. “Stop that. You’re stressing me out.”
His eyes sparkle mischievously behind his tortoiseshell glasses. “Sophia, it’s my solemn duty, as your legal representative, to ensure you always suffer maximum stress.”
I roll my eyes. “You’re terrible.”
“And yet, you keep me around.” He grins reassuringly, gently nudging my elbow. “Relax. You’ve got this.”
Before I can respond, the door swings open abruptly.
Day three of these board-room marathons, and Daniel still enters like he owns the oxygen. I straighten instinctively, chin lifting slightly in defiance. His expression hardens briefly before melting into that practiced smile I’ve grown to loathe.
“Sophia,” Daniel greets smoothly, his voice a practiced, neutral tone.
I nod briefly, forcing calm neutrality into my voice. “Daniel.”
“Daniel,” Sam replies.
Daniel claims the seat opposite me, sharply adjusting his tie, his gaze flicking briefly toward Sam. “Samuel.”
Sam’s eyes twinkle with barely restrained amusement.
Daniel turns back to me. “I hope you’re ready to talk reasonably today, Sophia.”
Yesterday’s session ended when you flung the term ‘art school hobbyist’ across the table… Wonder who’s not reasonable.
“I’m always reasonable, Daniel. You’re usually the one trying to set things on fire.”
He smirks, feigning amusement. “Funny.”
Sam clears his throat pointedly. “Alright, everyone. Let’s keep the insults minimal today. I’ve got lunch plans.”
Daniel narrows his eyes at Sam, who just smiles innocently, flipping open a leather portfolio. “Sophia’s settlement offer is clear: she’s proposing a full dissolution of your joint business holdings. She’s offering you a generous payout in exchange for complete dissolution. We’re willing to increase by 10% the buyout.”
Daniel leans back, arms crossed arrogantly. “Generous is subjective.”
“You know exactly how fair that offer is,” I interject evenly, my voice firm but calm. “Frankly, I’m surprised you’re even hesitating. It’s more than you should be getting.”
He eyes me skeptically, his fingers tapping rhythmically against his arm. “Why the sudden hurry, Sophia? Why is running back to your beach house fantasy that important?”
My fingers tighten around the edge of the table. “What I choose to do after our partnership ends is none of your business.”
“You’re blowing up years of hard work over what, a midlife crisis in some backwater town?”
My pulse quickens, irritation prickling beneath my skin. “Better that than spending another second playing second fiddle in your ego-driven circus. I’ve had enough. We’ve been growing apart for a decade.”
Sam chuckles, flipping through documents. “I warned you, Daniel. Behave and be reasonable.”
I shoot Sam a half-amused glare, grateful despite myself for his humor.
Daniel’s jaw clenches tightly, irritation clearly mounting. “All jokes aside, Sophia, your so-called fresh start won’t erase what you’ve built here — with me. You’re walking away from something valuable.”
“I built it despite you, Daniel,” I remind him softly. “Not because of you. And yet, you’ll be reaping the rewards of my hard work.”
